Pubs: 'Landlords have been turned into tax collectors'

First published
in News
by Ben Wilkinson, Crime Reporter, also covering Barton and Wood Farm. Call me on (01865) 425427

AFTER a lifetime working in pubs John Bellinger quit the trade last year.

The 58-year-old and his wife Trisha left the Bell Inn in Adderbury in April after six years behind the bar.

Mr Bellinger now works as a bus driver for Oxford Bus Company but has maintained his links with the pub trade by becoming chairman of the
North Oxfordshire branch of Camra.

As an 18-year-old he got his first job behind the bar at the Littlemore Royal British Legion club. Since then he has been the licensee at eight
pubs.

He said he was forced to leave the trade because of the impact of the the increase in the beer duty accelerator system introduced by the Government in 2009, which sees a series of tax rises
pencilled in until 2014.

He said: “Since that was introduced, the beer duties have increased by 42 per cent. Publicans are tax collectors now.”

He said that the ban on smoking in public places, including pub bars and the recession were other reasons fewer people were using their local pubs.

He added: “The traditional pub is the heart of the community.

“It’s where people go, not just to drink and eat, but for company and to meet up with friends.

“But people don’t have the money and they resent paying more for their beer than they did a few years ago.”

Comments (8)

Ahh you're forgetting that the government don't want us to go out and have fun and they don't want us to drink or smoke. They want us to stay in and do nothing... oh wait that increases the risk of diabetes. Hmm catch 22.

The governmnt play at trying to show that they care when in reality, they know that people will still drink and smoke and end up paying lots to the government in tax. They don't really want anyone to stop as the tax loss to them would bankrupt the country. They just have to be seen to be trying to help people drink responsibly and quit smoking.

Of course the amount of tax payable to the government depends on how much actually goes through the pub till because lets face it as you're dealing mostly in cash, much of it can "disappear".

Ahh you're forgetting that the government don't want us to go out and have fun and they don't want us to drink or smoke. They want us to stay in and do nothing... oh wait that increases the risk of diabetes. Hmm catch 22.
The governmnt play at trying to show that they care when in reality, they know that people will still drink and smoke and end up paying lots to the government in tax. They don't really want anyone to stop as the tax loss to them would bankrupt the country. They just have to be seen to be trying to help people drink responsibly and quit smoking.
Of course the amount of tax payable to the government depends on how much actually goes through the pub till because lets face it as you're dealing mostly in cash, much of it can "disappear".snert

If you care about pubs being forced to close due to silly levels of tax. Read this open letter from Roger Protz to Chloe Smith MP at http://www.morningad
vertiser.co.uk/Opini
on/Roger-Protz/Roger
-Protz-An-Open-Lette
r-to-Chloe-Smith-Eco
nomic-Secretary-to-t
he-Treasury
and then head over to http://saveyourpint.
co.uk/ to sign the petition to force the government to debate this properly. The cost to the country in lost economy and job losses from the pub trade is more than the amount of tax generated from this crazy beer escalator.

If you care about pubs being forced to close due to silly levels of tax. Read this open letter from Roger Protz to Chloe Smith MP at http://www.morningad
vertiser.co.uk/Opini
on/Roger-Protz/Roger
-Protz-An-Open-Lette
r-to-Chloe-Smith-Eco
nomic-Secretary-to-t
he-Treasury
and then head over to http://saveyourpint.
co.uk/ to sign the petition to force the government to debate this properly. The cost to the country in lost economy and job losses from the pub trade is more than the amount of tax generated from this crazy beer escalator.greenius

The duty on a pint is about 50p. Does anybody really think that a few pence reduction would get people back into pubs?
Thousands of pubs and clubs have closed since the smoking ban. The only way to stop the decline is to give publicans a choice of whether to allow smoking or not in their own property.”

The duty on a pint is about 50p. Does anybody really think that a few pence reduction would get people back into pubs?
Thousands of pubs and clubs have closed since the smoking ban. The only way to stop the decline is to give publicans a choice of whether to allow smoking or not in their own property.”chas

I'd agree that the pubs have not had the boost in trade that non-smokers said would happen and they don't make any more use of pubs because of the ban.

That said, I don't know of a single smoker that says "You know what? I fancy going to the pub tonight to see my mates but I'm not going to go because I can't have a smoke inside".

That's just cutting your nose off to spite your face. People aren't going out as much these days because it's cheaper to buy drink in a super market. The cost of living has risen and the massive clamp down on drink driving meaning people have to fork out for a cab to get to the pub and back means people don't go out.

I'm not suggesting they relax drink dirving laws but if you go out with your husband/wife/partner and decide to have a few, let's say 4 - 5 beers you're talking about £35 just for the beers. Lets add in a takeaway, so we're around the £50 mark now. Factor in a cab which if you live out of town will be about 8 - 10 there and about 10 - 15 home. Worst case, a Friday night with a kebab each you're looking at around £75.

Alternatively I could get a curry for 2 from Tesco for about £7 and a dozens cans for about a tenner.

£75 vs £17. The maths speaks for itself. Reducing duty a few pence won't do much, but it's step in the right direction. The pub margin is about a quarter to a third of the cost of a pint. Much of the cost in a pint goes towards the extortionate rent breweries charge pubs. Factor in the extortionate cost of Sky for a pub which is roughly 15 times that of a domestic service and you start to see why the costs are so high which is ultimately why people aren't going out as much.

I'd agree that the pubs have not had the boost in trade that non-smokers said would happen and they don't make any more use of pubs because of the ban.
That said, I don't know of a single smoker that says "You know what? I fancy going to the pub tonight to see my mates but I'm not going to go because I can't have a smoke inside".
That's just cutting your nose off to spite your face. People aren't going out as much these days because it's cheaper to buy drink in a super market. The cost of living has risen and the massive clamp down on drink driving meaning people have to fork out for a cab to get to the pub and back means people don't go out.
I'm not suggesting they relax drink dirving laws but if you go out with your husband/wife/partner and decide to have a few, let's say 4 - 5 beers you're talking about £35 just for the beers. Lets add in a takeaway, so we're around the £50 mark now. Factor in a cab which if you live out of town will be about 8 - 10 there and about 10 - 15 home. Worst case, a Friday night with a kebab each you're looking at around £75.
Alternatively I could get a curry for 2 from Tesco for about £7 and a dozens cans for about a tenner.
£75 vs £17. The maths speaks for itself. Reducing duty a few pence won't do much, but it's step in the right direction. The pub margin is about a quarter to a third of the cost of a pint. Much of the cost in a pint goes towards the extortionate rent breweries charge pubs. Factor in the extortionate cost of Sky for a pub which is roughly 15 times that of a domestic service and you start to see why the costs are so high which is ultimately why people aren't going out as much.snert

Well snert You have met one now. I used to meet my mates in The Shelly Arms for the footy at least four times a wwek, and we would spend at least £30 each on booze and snacks over a five hour session. We tried it after the ban came in and it was no go as the game was ruined by having to go outside for a fag. Now they just come to my place. It is not because it is cheaper (the atmosphere was better in the pub) but because we can have a fag when we want. Just look at where the Shelly Arms is now, that will answer you question. Just the five of us spending £30 each four times a week is £600. Times that by just two more groups like us and you have bankruptcy. That is the reality of the smoking ban. P.S. The Shelly did gain two extra customers after the ban that sat at the end of the bar blocking the view of the TV and had one sparkling water with lime, and and one can of Tango, they sat there for two hours till the footy finished and left. Snert MONEY does not come into it. It is about being able to ENJOY spending your money. I am not going to pay even £1 a pint if I can't have a fag and enjoy it, but I will happily pay £3.50 a pint if I can.

Well snert You have met one now. I used to meet my mates in The Shelly Arms for the footy at least four times a wwek, and we would spend at least £30 each on booze and snacks over a five hour session. We tried it after the ban came in and it was no go as the game was ruined by having to go outside for a fag. Now they just come to my place. It is not because it is cheaper (the atmosphere was better in the pub) but because we can have a fag when we want. Just look at where the Shelly Arms is now, that will answer you question. Just the five of us spending £30 each four times a week is £600. Times that by just two more groups like us and you have bankruptcy. That is the reality of the smoking ban. P.S. The Shelly did gain two extra customers after the ban that sat at the end of the bar blocking the view of the TV and had one sparkling water with lime, and and one can of Tango, they sat there for two hours till the footy finished and left. Snert MONEY does not come into it. It is about being able to ENJOY spending your money. I am not going to pay even £1 a pint if I can't have a fag and enjoy it, but I will happily pay £3.50 a pint if I can.Whopper w/o Pickle Cornmarket St

Well snert You have met one now. I used to meet my mates in The Shelly Arms for the footy at least four times a wwek, and we would spend at least £30 each on booze and snacks over a five hour session. We tried it after the ban came in and it was no go as the game was ruined by having to go outside for a fag. Now they just come to my place. It is not because it is cheaper (the atmosphere was better in the pub) but because we can have a fag when we want. Just look at where the Shelly Arms is now, that will answer you question. Just the five of us spending £30 each four times a week is £600. Times that by just two more groups like us and you have bankruptcy. That is the reality of the smoking ban. P.S. The Shelly did gain two extra customers after the ban that sat at the end of the bar blocking the view of the TV and had one sparkling water with lime, and and one can of Tango, they sat there for two hours till the footy finished and left. Snert MONEY does not come into it. It is about being able to ENJOY spending your money. I am not going to pay even £1 a pint if I can't have a fag and enjoy it, but I will happily pay £3.50 a pint if I can.

Well snert You have met one now. I used to meet my mates in The Shelly Arms for the footy at least four times a wwek, and we would spend at least £30 each on booze and snacks over a five hour session. We tried it after the ban came in and it was no go as the game was ruined by having to go outside for a fag. Now they just come to my place. It is not because it is cheaper (the atmosphere was better in the pub) but because we can have a fag when we want. Just look at where the Shelly Arms is now, that will answer you question. Just the five of us spending £30 each four times a week is £600. Times that by just two more groups like us and you have bankruptcy. That is the reality of the smoking ban. P.S. The Shelly did gain two extra customers after the ban that sat at the end of the bar blocking the view of the TV and had one sparkling water with lime, and and one can of Tango, they sat there for two hours till the footy finished and left. Snert MONEY does not come into it. It is about being able to ENJOY spending your money. I am not going to pay even £1 a pint if I can't have a fag and enjoy it, but I will happily pay £3.50 a pint if I can.Whopper w/o Pickle Cornmarket St

Whopper w/o Pickle Cornmarket St wrote:
Well snert You have met one now. I used to meet my mates in The Shelly Arms for the footy at least four times a wwek, and we would spend at least £30 each on booze and snacks over a five hour session. We tried it after the ban came in and it was no go as the game was ruined by having to go outside for a fag. Now they just come to my place. It is not because it is cheaper (the atmosphere was better in the pub) but because we can have a fag when we want. Just look at where the Shelly Arms is now, that will answer you question. Just the five of us spending £30 each four times a week is £600. Times that by just two more groups like us and you have bankruptcy. That is the reality of the smoking ban. P.S. The Shelly did gain two extra customers after the ban that sat at the end of the bar blocking the view of the TV and had one sparkling water with lime, and and one can of Tango, they sat there for two hours till the footy finished and left. Snert MONEY does not come into it. It is about being able to ENJOY spending your money. I am not going to pay even £1 a pint if I can't have a fag and enjoy it, but I will happily pay £3.50 a pint if I can.

Wow! You certainly live an exciting life. You consider a post on anonymous message board as 'meeting someone', and you appear to be drinking and smoking yourself to an early grave.

[quote][p][bold]Whopper w/o Pickle Cornmarket St[/bold] wrote:
Well snert You have met one now. I used to meet my mates in The Shelly Arms for the footy at least four times a wwek, and we would spend at least £30 each on booze and snacks over a five hour session. We tried it after the ban came in and it was no go as the game was ruined by having to go outside for a fag. Now they just come to my place. It is not because it is cheaper (the atmosphere was better in the pub) but because we can have a fag when we want. Just look at where the Shelly Arms is now, that will answer you question. Just the five of us spending £30 each four times a week is £600. Times that by just two more groups like us and you have bankruptcy. That is the reality of the smoking ban. P.S. The Shelly did gain two extra customers after the ban that sat at the end of the bar blocking the view of the TV and had one sparkling water with lime, and and one can of Tango, they sat there for two hours till the footy finished and left. Snert MONEY does not come into it. It is about being able to ENJOY spending your money. I am not going to pay even £1 a pint if I can't have a fag and enjoy it, but I will happily pay £3.50 a pint if I can.[/p][/quote]Wow! You certainly live an exciting life. You consider a post on anonymous message board as 'meeting someone', and you appear to be drinking and smoking yourself to an early grave.jamesp

Whopper w/o Pickle Cornmarket St wrote:
Well snert You have met one now. I used to meet my mates in The Shelly Arms for the footy at least four times a wwek, and we would spend at least £30 each on booze and snacks over a five hour session. We tried it after the ban came in and it was no go as the game was ruined by having to go outside for a fag. Now they just come to my place. It is not because it is cheaper (the atmosphere was better in the pub) but because we can have a fag when we want. Just look at where the Shelly Arms is now, that will answer you question. Just the five of us spending £30 each four times a week is £600. Times that by just two more groups like us and you have bankruptcy. That is the reality of the smoking ban. P.S. The Shelly did gain two extra customers after the ban that sat at the end of the bar blocking the view of the TV and had one sparkling water with lime, and and one can of Tango, they sat there for two hours till the footy finished and left. Snert MONEY does not come into it. It is about being able to ENJOY spending your money. I am not going to pay even £1 a pint if I can't have a fag and enjoy it, but I will happily pay £3.50 a pint if I can.

Wow! You certainly live an exciting life. You consider a post on anonymous message board as 'meeting someone', and you appear to be drinking and smoking yourself to an early grave.

Get back on your bike. Are you just jealous that we have enough disposable income to spend, or do you have NO mates except for your lap top companion.

[quote][p][bold]jamesp[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Whopper w/o Pickle Cornmarket St[/bold] wrote:
Well snert You have met one now. I used to meet my mates in The Shelly Arms for the footy at least four times a wwek, and we would spend at least £30 each on booze and snacks over a five hour session. We tried it after the ban came in and it was no go as the game was ruined by having to go outside for a fag. Now they just come to my place. It is not because it is cheaper (the atmosphere was better in the pub) but because we can have a fag when we want. Just look at where the Shelly Arms is now, that will answer you question. Just the five of us spending £30 each four times a week is £600. Times that by just two more groups like us and you have bankruptcy. That is the reality of the smoking ban. P.S. The Shelly did gain two extra customers after the ban that sat at the end of the bar blocking the view of the TV and had one sparkling water with lime, and and one can of Tango, they sat there for two hours till the footy finished and left. Snert MONEY does not come into it. It is about being able to ENJOY spending your money. I am not going to pay even £1 a pint if I can't have a fag and enjoy it, but I will happily pay £3.50 a pint if I can.[/p][/quote]Wow! You certainly live an exciting life. You consider a post on anonymous message board as 'meeting someone', and you appear to be drinking and smoking yourself to an early grave.[/p][/quote]Get back on your bike. Are you just jealous that we have enough disposable income to spend, or do you have NO mates except for your lap top companion.Whopper w/o Pickle Cornmarket St